Tuesday, July 3, 2018

Four Health Benefits of Swimming



Dr. Konstantino Avradopoulos serves as a physician and staff surgeon at Heywood Medical Group, a Massachusetts-based nonprofit organization associated with Heywood Hospital. Beyond his professional responsibilities at the hospital, Dr. Konstantino Avradopoulos enjoys swimming. As a regular exercise, swimming can offer a number of health benefits, such as the following:

1. Lowers blood pressure - Numerous studies exist that demonstrate the positive effect of swimming on blood pressure, reducing the risk of stroke, heart disease, and other health problems. The resistance of moving through water also builds muscle and aids with blood-sugar control. 

2. Helps manage stress - Swimming increases oxygen flow in the muscles and helps regulate breathing, which can help to manage stress. One group of researchers surveyed 101 swimmers before and after swimming, and found that of the 44 people who reported feeling mildly depressed or slightly stressed before swimming, only eight reported feeling so after the activity. 

3. Strengthens the whole body - Swimming utilizes muscles throughout the entire body, from the arms and legs to the back and glutes. Regular engagement in swimming can improve muscle tone, build endurance, and strengthen the body. 

4. Promotes pain relief - As a low-resistance activity, swimming can help with pain and swelling associated with arthritis and musculoskeletal problems. Water immersion reduces pressure on the joints, and exercising in warm water can help relieve joint stiffness and increase flexibility.

Sunday, June 17, 2018

Breast Cancer Prognoses and Treatments in Older Women


Dr. Konstantino Avradopoulos serves as a staff surgeon at Massachusetts’ Heywood Hospital, where he draws on three decades of practice experience. A fellowship-trained surgical oncologist, Dr. Avradopoulos has researched and written about breast cancer in older women.

Breast cancer is significantly more prevalent among women over the age of 59. It may also be more dangerous, according to a 2012 study published in JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association.

By the end of the study, which involved close to 9,800 women, 8.3 percent of patients aged 75 or older had passed away from the disease, as compared to 6.3 percent of those between 65 and 74 years old and 5.7 percent of those under the age of 65. Patients over 75 years of age were 29 percent more likely to relapse than those younger than 65, while those 65 to 74 years old had a 7 percent higher risk compared to those younger than 65.

The study also revealed that older women tend to receive less aggressive treatment recommendations, although some experts believe that this trend is often due to the different cancer types that older patients develop. Research has revealed that older patients with smaller and more estrogen-sensitive cancers can enjoy positive outcomes without chemotherapy or radiation. Surgery tends to be more common among this cohort.

However, some older women with breast cancer do not undergo aggressive forms of treatment because their bodies are less able to handle their effects. Experts recommend that patients discuss all available options with their physicians and work toward a plan that is best suited to their individual situations.

Sunday, May 27, 2018

2018 ASC Quality and Safety Conference to Focus on Collaboration


An accomplished surgical oncologist, Dr. Dan Avradopoulos treats patients at the Heywood Hospital in Gardner, Massachusetts. Dr. Dan Avradopoulos is a member of the American College of Surgeons (ACS), which will hold its Quality and Safety Conference (QSC) in July 2018.

The conference brings medical professionals together for an exploration of initiatives designed specifically for those involved in or served by ACS quality programs. Participants may attend a broad selection of breakout, general, and abstract sessions. 

Content and sessions for the 2018 QSC will follow the theme of “Partnering for Improvement” and will highlight collaborative approaches to the understanding of quality and safety fundamentals. Attendees may participate in several different tracks, including one focusing on Optimal Resources for Surgical Quality and Safety (ORSQS) based on concepts from the ORSQS manual. 

The 2018 ACS Quality and Safety Conference will take place July 21-24 at the Hyatt Regency Orlando in Florida.

Friday, March 30, 2018

ACS Praises Mission Zero Act Passage


An experienced clinician and medical administrator, Dr. Dan Avradopoulos leverages his more than 20 years of experience in medicine in his current role as the lead physician of the Wound Care Center at Heywood Hospital in Gardner, Massachusetts. Active in his field, Dr. Dan Avradopoulos is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons (ACS). 

Earlier this year, ACS released a statement in support of the U.S. House of Representatives for its vote to adopt the Mission Zero Act (H.R. 880). The bill creates a new grant program that will provide assistance to civilian trauma facilities and also forge partnerships between those facilities and experienced military trauma professionals. Together, these steps are expected to raise the level of trauma care patients receive at both civilian and military treatment settings. 

ACS executive director David B. Hoyt, MD, FACS, praised the move, saying that the bill’s passage has been a major priority for the organization. He also commended a number of lawmakers for their leadership on the issue, including Michael Burgess, MD (R-TX), Gene Green (D-TX), and Cathy Castor (D-FL).